Chapter 5

My next class featured Alec, Tori, and Grace.

I was beginning to have a love hate relationship with this particular class.

It wasn't all bad because I got to sit next to Tori, which kept Alec from tormenting me. The downside was Grace and her friends would constantly throw insults my way. For someone who acts like their bulletproof, her insults sure hurt a lot.

I had been dreading Gym class all day. We were split between Volleyball and Basketball for the next month or so.

Sports have always been challenging for me. And as funny as it sounds, the ball always seemed attracted to my face.

I chose the option that didn't include Alec or Kade, which was Volleyball. Much to my dismay Grace happened to choose Volleyball as well.

My options weren't looking too great. Pick Basketball and suffer the intruding touches of the twins, or Volleyball and suffer mean comments from Grace.

I'd choose mean comments any day.

While the medium sized gym shirt fit me comfortably, they only had a size small in the shorts. I was naturally slim, but my hips flared out along with a full bottom. The shorts constantly rid up my thighs, and in my opinion looked as though they were going to tear at any moment. Thankfully, that weird mesh material gym shorts were made from was typically strong.

I somehow managed to survive fifteen minutes of dodging the Volleyball when something had to happen.

Grace had served the ball and someone on the other team had hit it back. The ball was heading straight for my face, and I braced myself for the impact.

Instead of getting hit in the face, I was abruptly knocked to the ground. My head bounced against the linoleum floor with a sickening crack. A dazed whimper escaped my lips as my teeth clicked together.

"Shit, Aurora. You okay?" Autumn's familiar voice spoke from over me.

She had her hand out and I gratefully took it as she pulled me to my feet.

The Earth wobbled a little and I knew I was going to have a killer headache tomorrow, but I'd survive.

"What the hell happened?" I groaned, my fingers grazing the side of my head for any traces of blood.

I turned my attention to Autumn's gaze and looked into the smug eyes of Grace. She was snickering with another one of the girls and when she caught me looking, she gave me a taunting wave.

"Grace happened." I gritted my teeth, answering my own question.

I noticed the rest of the class had stopped playing Basketball, and decided to gawk at what just happened.

My eyes scanned the other kids until they landed on Alec and Kade.

My heart nearly dropped as I took in their sweaty physiques and tousled hair. What made my blood run cold was the murderous glares they were throwing in my direction.

"Autumn, take Aurora to the nurse." The gym teacher snapped, "Everyone else get back to playing!"

A couple whistle blows later and it was as if nothing had happened.

Autumn walked me to the nurses office where we both sat waiting.

"I'll be back in a jiffy honey. Some poor kid threw up in Science class." The Nurse shuddered and zipped from the room.

"At least you're not the only one having a bad day?" Autumn's comment was phrased as a question and she let out a little giggle.

"Fair point." I chuckled dryly, the side of my head beginning to throb. "At least everyone else saw her knock me to the ground."

"It's not like anything will happen to her." Autumn grimaced, her lips pressed tightly together.

I frowned, "Why the hell not? Everyone saw her knock me down, since when is that okay?"

"Since she's Grace, favorite toy to Kade." Autumn laughed humorlessly.

I shook my head, "What the hell is up with these people. How can they not get in trouble?"

"Their parents like to own the town or something." Autumn shrugged, genuinely looking confused, "No one wants to get on their bad side, especially the twins."

"That needs to change." I muttered, "You don't have to sit here with me y'know."

"Any excuse to miss out on Gym is fine with me." Autumn chuckled, "How's your head feeling?"

"Like I need a new one." I shook my head. Hopefully the nurse would give me some Advil.

"Oh that reminds me, there's a party this Saturday and I want you to come with me. I'll invite Tori too after school." Autumn grinned, showing a set of white teeth.

I shook my head, "How did that remind you of a party?"

Autumn shrugged, "No clue, but are you interested?"

Autumn was one of those girls who seemed to fit into every social group. A lot of her friends were the athletic kids, but Autumn tended to fit in everywhere.

"I suppose." I shrugged. I only worked 8 in the morning to 6 in the afternoon. That would give me plenty of time to take a shower and get dressed.

"Great!" Autumn grinned, "Wear a dress or something. I've got these heels I've been dying to wear."

I pursed my lips together, not wanting to interrupt her monologue on shoes. "I don't have any dresses, besides I'd rather be comfortable." I shrugged

There would be no drinking or smoking for me, I was simply going for a friend. And the last thing I wanted was to stand out.

"Wait, will the twins be there?" I scowled. I definitely wasn't going to show if they were going to come.

"They never come to our parties." Autumn scoffed, "They must think theirs are better or something. Who even throws parties out in the middle of the woods. Weirdo's."

I raised my eyebrow, "That is weird, and slightly murderish."

Autumn was forced to go back to class once the Nurse returned. She brought a rather green looking kid into the room and shooed him towards the bathroom.

After looking me over for a moment and giving me a couple Advil (thankfully), she told me I could head home.

"No thanks." I shook my head, "A friend drives me home, and I really don't feel like walking."

"I can always call your Momma, hon." The plump nurse gave me a soft smile.

I shook my head a little too vigorously, wincing at the pain. "No, no. Not necessary. She's working and won't be happy if she gets a call."

"Well- Alright dear. Just take it easy and drink lots of water. Wouldn't hurt ya to have a doctor check you out." The nurse gave me a weird look but smiled politely.

I nodded my head, really wanting to leave. "Yup, sure. I'll have a doctor check me out."

There wasn't a chance in hell I'd be going to a doctor any time soon. One, I had no idea where the closest doctor was and two, I'm fairly sure I don't have any insurance.

I left the Nurses office before she could say anything else and headed to my locker.

I sat in the hallway for another half hour before I found the motivation to pull myself from the floor.

Going home early simply wasn't an option. Frank would likely be home and he'd go straight to Melissa if he saw me home early.

The bell signaling the end of class rang when I finally stood from the floor.

I moved slowly as I flung my locker open and stuffed my books into the ratty backpack I owned. Once the second bell sounded, kids would begin flooding from class.

The familiar yet intoxicating scent of cologne and male sweat filled my nose. I resisted the urge to sigh and slammed my locker shut.

"Looks like the little doll is having a bad day." Alec smirked, his dark eyes flickering to his brother and finally back to my face. Alec stood on one side of me, much too close I might add.

Kade stood on the other side, his dark eyes looking down at my head.

"How's your head, sweetheart?" Kade's voice was rough but the corners of his lips turned down.

Their mind games had my head throbbing all over again, and I swore I was going to get whiplash from their mood swings. One minute they're calling me names, insulting me. The next minute Alec won't keep his damn hands away from me. Then they hurl death glares my way, only to care about my stupid head later on.

Before I could say anything Kade's rough hand gripped my chin, turning my face to his own. His touch sent a strange shiver down my spine and I shuddered as Alec's breath hit my ear.

Kade's other hand was much more gentle than I would've anticipated, only leaving me more confused.

His hand reached out gently and touched the spot I had slammed into the Gym floor.

A hiss of pain left my lips under his touch and I cringed away, pressing my backside closer to Alec.

"Poor little doll is hurt." Alec murmured in my ear. "You know what that means, Kade."

"We'll make you feel better, sweetheart." Kade's voice was a rough murmur as his fingers held tight on my chin.

My heart was hammering in my chest and the urge to run was ever so present in my mind. I was at war with myself. On one hand I wanted to run, and on the other I was basking in their gentle touch, in the attention they were giving to me.

A yelp of surprise left my lips as Alec's hands grasped my waist. His fingers teased the end of my shirt, grazing the soft skin beneath it.

"S-Stop." I muttered, using my hands to push his away.

My hands were swatted away effortlessly as Kade tilted my head to the side.

"Shh." His mint filled breath wafted across my face enticingly.

Kade tilted my head to the side with ease and I visibly jumped as a pair of soft lips collided with my neck.

"What are you doing!" I yelped as his lips moved down my neck.

To say it felt good would be an understatement. Some hidden part of me wanted to stay in this empty hallway with the two of them forever, no longer plagued with life outside of our little bubble. A life where they'd go back to tormenting me at first chance.

"Making you feel better, doll." Alec murmured in my ear, his fingers tracing patterns on my bare stomach.

Kade was skilled with his mouth. He left little pecks and nibbles down my neck and shoulder, making me gasp in both pain and pleasure.

"Aurora?" Tori's familiar voice echoed down the hall, along with her pattering footsteps.

The clock on the far wall showed 2:12 in the afternoon, two minutes past the second bell.

Faster than I would mentally handle, Kade and Alec retracted themselves from me.

"Until next time, sweetheart." Kade murmured in my ear, the light stubble on his face tickling my cheek. I visibly shivered from his rough voice. My eyes were plastered on the smirk his full lips formed.

I wanted to kiss the two of them, but I also wanted to shove them both away and run. What kind of mind games were they playing? I was beginning to think we should've stayed in California.

The two of them turned and left me alone in the hall. Tori came into view only a second later, a strange look gracing her face.

Well, the twins were right about one thing. My headache was a fading memory.